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New Ideas
from Garnier

A range of new products debut during Open House.

By Nancy Jeffries
Correspondent

Ingredient delivery plus value added formats and formulations told the story at Garnier’s Open House. True to the company’s vision of beauty and ease, Garnier, a division of L’Oréal, launched the brand’s newest skin and hair care collections last month in New York City, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for skin and hair. With dermatologists on hand to discuss the latest technologies and offer a demonstration of each new product and format, Garnier highlighted trends and ingredients that are distinguishing themselves in today’s market.

Dr. Neal Schultz emphasizes circulation and elasticity at the Garnier Open House.

Dr. Neal Schultz, scientific dermatologist and creator of DermTV.com, provided insight into skin barrier function and the role microcirculation plays in radiant skin. He introduced the new Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager, which is a daily radiance moisturizer containing caffeine and other skin nutrients that help correct the signs of aging while keeping the skin hydrated. The stimulating massage action of the rolling applicator boosts skin’s microcirculation for a healthy glow. Skin looks more awake and refreshed.

“Anytime you stretch elastic fibers enough times, they are going to fail. The same is true of collagen," said Dr. Schulz. "The trick is to increase the circulation of the skin without bending, creasing, or stretching the skin. Anytime you increase circulation, you enable the skin to absorb active ingredients better, so you are stimulating the skin’s blood flow without taxing the collagen in the elastic tissues.”

The Skin Nutrient Complex in Garnier’s Skin Renew, consists of caffeine, known for its stimulating and energizing effects, Grape Polyphenols, a natural, antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radicals, Vitamin C, for even skin tone, and Micro-Pearls, which provide a reflective, illuminating effect, cumulatively comprising the anti-fatigue formula. In addition, Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant derived from tomato, helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors. Dr. Schultz cited caffeine’s growing popularity due to its ability to energize and revitalize the skin, and noted new research suggesting its potential for use in other areas, including UV protection.

Additional products in the Skin Renew line include Skin Renew Radiance Moisture Lotion with SPF 15, Skin Renew Radiance Moisture Cream, to brighten, smooth and boost skin’s defenses, Skin Renew Overnight Regenerating Cream, a lightweight cream that exfoliates and smoothes rough skin during sleep, Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, to help reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes, and Skin Renew Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream, to illuminate the eye area and diminish the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. The Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager and the entire Skin Renew line are available at mass retailers beginning in July 2009, with price points at $12.99.

Skin Repair While You Sleep

On hand to guide editors through the properties, application and results of Garnier’s new Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, was Dr. Karyn Grossman, Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, who explained the latest treatment for women over the age of 40, from Garnier. Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is designed to boost the skin’s natural repair process while you sleep. Over time, the body’s natural overnight repair system begins to slow down, which results in a loss of skin firmness, elasticity and deepening of wrinkles. Ultra-Pro Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, which contains L’Oréal’s patented Pro-Xylane formula, works under the surface of the skin to restore elasticity and plump wrinkles from within the skin.

The eco-friendly Green Chemistry molecule contained in Pro-Xylane is a naturally derived raw sugar extract from the beech tree. According to the company, the molecule rebuilds skin structure by plumping the skin from within the skin’s surface layers and replenishing moisture. In addition, the product contains Omega 3+6, to help rebuild the skin’s protective barrier, and Vitamin A, to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ultra-Pro Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is to be applied to face and neck nightly. It is available in July 2009 and will retail for $16.99 for the 1.7-ounce jar.

Triple Nutrition for Hair

Dr. Melanye Maclin-Carroll was on hand to round out the scientific discourse, with a look at Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo, Conditioner and 3-Minute Undo, the newest products in the brand’s hair care collection, offering “health food” for hair. Maclin-Carroll, who is a dermatologist that specializes in the treatment of hair, noted,“Triple Nutrition represents a fabulous concept. No matter what kind of hair you have, it needs nutrition. That is the take home point.”

According to Garnier, moisturizing and hydrating are solutions of the past, with the current focus being on nutrition and harnessing the power of nutritive fruit oils, including olive, avocado and shea. The collection offers a formula with a trio of fruit oils that nourish hair with nutrients, creating strands that are smoother, more supple and shinier. Each oil in the formula targets a distinct layer of the hair. Antioxidant-rich olive oil nourishes the inner core of the hair for deep conditioning. Avocado oil, with vitamins and minerals, including potassium and vitamins B, E, and K, nourish and soften the middle layer. Shea oil, known for its moisturizing properties, nourishes and smoothes the hair surface for shine. Dr. Maclin-Carroll says, “It nourishes the cuticle and seals it.”

Three new products comprise the Triple Nutrition range, including Fortifying Shampoo, for cleansing, nourishment and extra strength, Fortifying Cream Conditioner, a silicone-free formula with three nutritive oils for silkiness, manageability, and vitality, and 3-Minute Undo: Dryness Reversal Treatment. This treatment product contains finely ground apricot seeds, in a rich, cream conditioner, that works to stimulate hair from the root, leaving hair stronger and healthier in three minutes. Hence, the regimen, Cleanse, Condition and Transform, is the new Garnier mantra. Triple Nutrition Fortifying Shampoo and Triple Nutrition Fortifying Cream Conditioner, retail for $3.99 for each 13oz. bottle. Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo: Dryness Reversal Treatment is $5.99 for an 8.5-oz. tube.

Anti-Humidity Hair Spray Collection

Garnier Fructis Style Anti-Humidity Collection offers an ingredient innovation in anti-humidity hair care. The collection features Bamboo extract, known for its strength, suppleness and resilience. The fact that bamboo bends, but does not break, provides an apt analogy for the line, as the formulation is designed to provide bounce-back hold, natural movement, and long lasting effect, when moisture and humidity persist in the air.

The products feature Fruit Micro-Waxes, to seal out humidity and combat frizz, while lightweight resin blends provide long-lasting performance, and a UV filter protects color treated hair from the effects of the sun. Four formulations meet a range of styling needs, including Full Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray Ultra Strong Hold, with humectants, for firm hold and softness, Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray Ultra Strong Hold, with polymers for sleek, frizz-controlled styles, with shine, Flexible Control Anti Humidity Hairspray Strong Hold, a lighter formula, with polymer blends for flexible movement, and Volumizing Anti-Humidity Hairspray Extra Strong Hold, with Pro Vitamin B5, to revitalize dull and weakened strands, and add bounce and body by lifting from root to tip. The collection idebuts this month and retails for $4.11 per bottle.

New Stylers Fight Flat Hair

Garnier Fructis Style also introduced Body Boost Volumizing Gel and Body Boost Root Booster. This, the first styling collection from Garnier Fructis, is formulated to boost hair starting at the roots. The collection was created to work with whatever hair type you have, fine, normal or thick to achieve the desired look. Fine hair can have a fuller and thicker look, and thick hair can add lasting volume. The lightweight formulas feature ginseng and Pro B5, to lift hair from root to tip, without build-up, while lightweight polymers and fruit micro-waxes lock in hold.

Body Boost Volumizing Gel boosts hair with weightless body and fullness, while Body Boost Root Booster, is a lightweight spray gel that boosts hair with targeted root lift, adding body without build-up. Each is now on counter and retails for $4.11 each.